You know the guy. The "California" kid with the tie-dye shirt and the air of 90s skepticism who moved to Salem and accidentally started a supernatural war. Omri Katz is the actor who played Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus, and honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, he was basically the blueprint for the "reluctant hero" vibe.
But here is the thing: Omri Katz didn't just appear out of thin air for Disney. Before he was lighting the Black Flame Candle, he was already a veteran of the screen, having spent years on one of the biggest soap operas in television history. And then, almost as quickly as he became a household name for every kid with a VCR, he vanished from Hollywood.
The Actor Behind Max Dennison
Born Omri Haim Katz on May 30, 1976, in Los Angeles, he wasn’t some random kid found at a mall. He was a pro. By the time he stepped onto the Hocus Pocus set, he’d already logged over 130 episodes of Dallas as John Ross Ewing III.
Katz had this specific look—the floppy hair, the slightly weary eyes—that made him perfect for the role of a teenager who was "too cool" for Halloween. He was 16 during filming, which is why that awkward tension with Allison (played by Vinessa Shaw) felt so real. It wasn't just acting; it was peak teenage hormone energy.
He Wasn’t Actually the First Choice
Believe it or not, we almost lived in a world where Omri Katz wasn't Max. Director Kenny Ortega has been very open about the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio was the production's first choice.
"The casting ladies called me up and they said, 'We're sending you an actor today but he's not available... you're going to fall in love with him but you can't have him,'" Ortega recalled in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
DiCaprio was apparently obsessed with two other projects at the time: This Boy's Life and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. He turned down the "Disney money" to chase the Oscar-worthy roles, which opened the door for Katz. Honestly? It worked out. DiCaprio would have been a great Max, but Katz brought a certain grounded, "average guy" quality that made the absurdity of the Sanderson sisters pop.
What Happened to Omri Katz After 1993?
This is what most people get wrong. They think Hocus Pocus was a massive hit that should have launched him into the stratosphere. In reality, the movie kind of flopped at the box office. It was released in July (yes, a Halloween movie in July) and got buried by Free Willy.
Katz kept working for a bit. He was in Matinee and had a memorable guest spot on Freaks and Geeks as Brad. But by the early 2000s, he’d had enough. He wasn't "canceled" or pushed out; he just wanted a different kind of life. He spent years traveling, following the Grateful Dead, and eventually settled into a career as a hairdresser.
Why He Wasn't in Hocus Pocus 2
When the sequel finally dropped on Disney+ in 2022, fans were devastated that the original trio—Max, Dani (Thora Birch), and Allison—were missing.
It wasn't for lack of trying on the fans' part. Omri has been very vocal about the fact that he was "never invited to that meeting." There were early script drafts that included a quick cameo for Max, but the writers eventually decided that if they couldn't give the original characters a meaningful story arc, they shouldn't just shoehorn them in for a "check-the-box" moment.
Katz didn't take it personally. He’s been a regular at fan conventions, often appearing alongside Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch. In fact, he’s scheduled to appear at 90s Con 2026 in Connecticut, proving that even if he's done with the industry, he still loves the fans.
The "Mary Danksters" Era
If you look up Omri Katz today, you won't find him on a movie set. He's a businessman. Since 2022, he has been running a cannabis company called The Mary Danksters.
He’s pretty candid about it, too. In recent interviews, he’s joked that he was actually "having a good old time" (meaning he was high) during some of the original Hocus Pocus scenes. It’s a hilarious bit of trivia that makes re-watching the movie as an adult much more entertaining. You can see it in his eyes during certain takes—Max Dennison wasn't just tired of Salem; he was vibing.
A Legacy Beyond the Screen
Omri Katz is one of those rare child stars who didn't spiral. He did his time, made a classic, and then decided that being a "brand" wasn't for him.
Quick Career Snapshot:
- Dallas (1983-1991): His big break as J.R. Ewing's son.
- Eerie, Indiana (1991-1992): A cult classic sci-fi show where he played Marshall Teller.
- Hocus Pocus (1993): The role that made him a Halloween icon.
- Journey Into Night (2002): His final official acting credit.
He lives a relatively quiet life now, splitting time between Los Angeles and various travels. He’s active on social media occasionally, mostly to promote his brand or share throwback photos with his old co-stars.
What You Can Do Next
If you're feeling nostalgic, don't just stop at Hocus Pocus. To really appreciate Katz's range, go find old episodes of Eerie, Indiana. It’s basically Stranger Things before Stranger Things existed, and it captures that 90s "weirdness" perfectly.
Also, keep an eye on the news regarding Hocus Pocus 3. While nothing is confirmed for the original cast, Katz has gone on record saying he'd be open to returning if the script was right. For now, you can catch him on the convention circuit or supporting his cannabis brand, living a life that is much more "California" than Max Dennison ever dreamed of.